Lei Chan U leaves his analysis in his ‘goodbye speech’

Lawmaker Lei Chan U used his floor time ahead of the agenda at yesterday’s Legislative Assembly (AL) plenary session to reflect on his eight-year tenure, delivering what served as a farewell speech.

He said he had focused his work on proposals aimed at improving the quality of life for Macau residents during his two terms in office.

“Macau is in a crucial phase of economic restructuring, with an uneven recovery, external uncertainties, and growing factors of instability. We cannot ignore the risks and challenges, nor the new demands and expectations of the residents for a better life. All of this requires courage and commitment from the government,” Lei remarked.

“For a government, there is no greater virtue than loving the people, and no worse action than harming the population,” he added, emphasizing that the government must never remain still, nor act slowly, blindly, or falsely. Instead, the lawmaker said the government must act with determination and ambition, to achieve, with the support of all sectors, “a new leap forward and splendor for Macau.”

“The current legislative session is ending, and I will be stepping down from my role as a legislator. In this journey, it was impossible to achieve perfection, but I did my best and everything within my power, so I have a clear conscience,” Chan said.

“In the future, no matter what role I play, I will never forget my initial intention and will always keep in mind my mission to contribute, as always, with my suggestions, to improving labor rights and interests, raising the quality of employment for residents, and appropriately diversifying Macau’s economy,” he said in a message to the AL president and fellow lawmakers.

“I have so much in my heart, but silence will speak for me,” he concluded.

As the Times previously reported, Lei is not on the two lists representing the Work Sector that have been presented to run in the AL elections in September.

Lei has been replaced on the list running for the Indirect elections by Kong Ioi Fai, currently the vice chairman of the Macau Federation of Trade Unions (FAOM), which continues to be headed by the current lawmaker and FAOM vice chairman, Lam Lon Wai.

It is also the first time the FAOM has presented two separate election lists, with four names currently running for two seats.

The second list also includes two other vice chairmen of the FAOM, headed by Leong Pou U, and has Choi Kam Fu as the second candidate.